The decision of taking former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa back into the BJP is likely to be delayed following the announcement of elections to five states - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Delhi.
A source told Express that the BJP would go into poll mode from Saturday since the results of these five states would in a way indicate the outcome of the general elections.
Also, it would be an acid test for the popularity of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who has been declared the BJP prime ministerial candidate. Under these circumstances, the BJP leaders are unlikely to discuss the Yeddyurappa issue.
Sources said the BJP’s primary task now is come to power in three to four states as it would boost party morale.
The BJP high command, which was upset about the party’s defeat in the Assembly polls in the state, is banking on the ‘pro-Modi’ wave across the country. Modi may make a whirlwind tour of Karnataka during the third week of October.
Sources said there was lot of time to discuss Yeddyurappa’s return to the party. The tenure of the Congress-led UPA government will end in May 2014. Yeddyurappa has already extended his party’s support to the BJP-led NDA with Modi as its prime ministerial candidate. Now he has to wait till December 8 when the results of the elections in five states will be announced.
Yeddyurappa’s issue has been pending before the BJP parliamentary board for quite some time. Now, the board has to draft poll strategies such as selecting star campaigners, ticket distribution etc, to take on the Congress.
BJP leaders would be putting all their efforts to ensure the saffron party’s victory.
“In all probability, Yeddyurappa’s issue will be put on the back burner till the second week of December,” a source said.